ADO v Feyenoord

The big game of ADO Den Haag v Feyenoord was preceded by a celebration by the fans of the North Side (Midden Noord) for their 40th anniversary. There was a large corteo (procession) to the stadium with much smoke and fireworks. As the players came onto the pitch they were greeted by a huge anniversary banner and smoke. The atmosphere in the Cars Jeans stadium was amazing.

The atmosphere was brought to a sudden end as Feyenoord took an early lead. Nicolai Jørgensen headed in a cross unmarked in the middle of the box, giving Robert Zwinkels no chance in the fourth minute, 0-1.

ADO heads did not drop and it was the home side that became the more threatening. Lex Immers twice went close before the fifteen minute mark. The pressure was so high that when Brad Jones in the Feyenoord goal was waiting to take a goal-kick, he was taking an age to clear the ball, time wasting so early, the visitors were rattled.

In the final minute of the half, ADO produced some absolutely beautiful football, that even Barcelona would have been proud of. Lex Immers battled hard to win the ball. The ball came across the area, where ADO strung together a few moments of stunning one touch passing before Aaron Meijers rifled a volley into the far corner of the net, 1-1. The stadium erupted and I doubt you’ll see a better goal this season!

Feyenoord began the second half strong, Zwinkels being forced into action. ADO held out and then took over the game. Their pressing and fighting spirit began to pay off. Feyenoord were backing off and it was in the fifty fifth minute that ADO took the lead. A cross caused panic after Erik Falkenburg challenged the Feyenoord keeper, Wilfried Kanon was on hand to nod the ball into the back of the net, 2-1.

It was Zwinkels who then saw most of the action, he was at his best blocking shots from all angles. ADO looked strong. ADO almost made it 3-1. Sheraldo struck a powerful volley from the edge of the area, that just went the wrong side of the post, with the goal keeper stranded.

ADO were looking good for three points, until the eighty sixth minute. A throw in released Karim El Ahmadi who allowed to turn inside the ADO area. His shot went just inside the upright to give the champions a share of the points.

Feyenoord had two clear cut chances to win the game in the four minutes of added time. Steven Berghuis shooting wide, under no pressure both times, a lucky let off for ADO. A point was a fair result.